Air-water oil lift



March 29, 1932. w. D. GILES AIR-WATER OIL LIFT Filed Sept. 29, 1928 5Sheets-Sheet I N VEN TOR. WALTER D. 67155 WIT/V5555 A TTORNEYS.

March 29, 1932. w. D. GlLES AIR-WATER OIL LIFT Filed Sept. 29, 1928 3Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

ML TE"? 0. 671.55

BY M A TTORNEYS.

VIM/E6555 March 29,- 1932. w, D, (5|LES 1,851,827

AIR-WATER OIL LIFT Filed Sept. 29, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.M41. 75/? 0. 0/455 A mmm= Patented Mar. 29, 1932 RATE Q I- GE (WALTER,n. arms, or 1 summons; LOUISIANA AIR-W TER; 0.11. i-

npplication filed September 29,1928. SerialNoi 309,306.

"This invention relates to wells and more particularly to means forlifting oil from-deep or shallow oil wells. 7

fOne ofqthe primaryobjects of-my-inventionisfthe provision of'novelmeansfor operating a plurality of oilwells simultaneously from a central"operating station, sald means including the useof a vacuum-pres otherapressure line with a novel-regulator for controlling the suction-of thevacuum and pressure in said well.

Another object of the inventionis the provision of means for liftingo'iljfrom an oil well embodying arelative large delivery pipe extendinginto the well-casing-and leading into an 'ove'rhead temporary storagetank with a combined pressure. and suction pipe leading intosaiddelivery pipe and the source of oil supply, said combinedpressureand suction pipe-having an inwardly opening intake valve and;anoutwardlyiopening outlet valve with means for controllin first, asuction'in the, pipefor drawing oil into the same; and, second, pressureenforcing the valve plug when the suction way is inthe oil from saidpipe. I I

A further object of the inventionis the provision of .a novel controlvalve constantly operatedg for. intermittently controlling first thesuction and then the pressure in the pipe with, means alternatelyrelieving the suction and the pressure in thepipe. V v

. A further obj ectof the inventionis the provision. of water.interposed between. the. .delivery pipe and the combinedsuctionand instake pipe, whereby when the oil is forced out of the combined suctionvand pressure pipe the same ;.will float-iupwardly in the water into thereceiving tank therefore. Y

'A' still further object of the invention is toprovide an improvedoillifting device of the above character, :which will be durable ande'fiicient in use, one that will easy and simple to-manu'facture, andone which can be,

line 33 of Figure 2 looking in thedirection incorporated with a well-etacomparatively small cost.

'NVith these andother-objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel construction, arrangement and formation of partsas will behereinafter more specifically described, claimed andillustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation ofmy improved oil lifting apparatus withthe main suction and pressure pipes in section, parts of the oilreceiving tank being also shown brokenaway and in section.

Figure 2 is-a fragmentarytop plan view of the noveloil lilting apparatuswith theoil receiving pipe'in section.

Figure 3 is a vertical section through; the novel regulator or controlvalve taken 'onthe ofthe arrows.

'Figure t isa horizontal section taken on the line H of Figure 1lookingzin the d'irection of 'thearrows illustrating; the position ofthe valve plug for connecting the combined suction and pressure pipe ofthe well Wi'ththe' suction or vacuum field pipe. f

Figure5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 55 of Figurel lookingin thefidirection of the arrows, showing the position ofthe suctionrelease ports and-wayin-the' position shown in Figure- 4.

-Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken .on the line 6- 6 of Figure 1looking inthe direction ofthe arrows illustrating the po'si-' 35 tionofthea-ir pressure-way in the valve plug when the'suc'tion-way is in theposition shown inFigure 4. i

Figure? is a-horizontal section taken on the" line 7'7 of Figurel 1'looking in the (iirection of the arrows, illustrating'the position ofthe air-pressure releaseiway in'the valve plug when the valve plug is inthe position shown inFigure 4 of the drawings.

Figure 8 is-agfragmentary side elevation of 5 the portion oflthe 'aparatus' incorporated with the-well casing, t e well casingrbeing; part1broken away and in; section as well as the oil receiving pipe.

"Figure 9 is'an. enlarged horizontal section me xproved apparatus, whichincludes a vacuum or suction line pipe 15 and a pressure line pipe 16.These line pipes 15 and 16 lead to a suitable power house which iscentrally located in an oil field and these pipes lead to the variouswells in the field. As clearly shownin Figure 2 of the drawings thepipes 15 and 16 are provided respectively with branch pipes 17 and 18which lead to a well 19. Suitable gates or globe valves 20 and 21 can beplaced in the line pipes 15 and 16 at the desired point for controllingthe suction and pressure therein and the same can also be provided withrelief or pop valves 22 if found desirable. The branch pipes 17 and 18can also be provided respectively with globe or gate valves 23and 24 sothat these pipes can be entirely shut off from the line pipes ifdesired.

The well 19 can be of the usual character and as shown includes theusual wellcasing 25 provided with the casing head 26 which extendsexteriorly of. the well. A derrick or tower 27 is arranged above thecasing and in accordance with this invention supports a platform 28 onwhich is arranged an initial oil receiving tank 29.

Iplace in the well casing 25, an oil receiving pipe 30 which can be ofrelatively great'diameter and this pipe 30 extends into the oil bearingstrata 31 and out through the casing head 26into the lowerend of theinitial oil receiving tank 29. r

This pipe 30 can be'made up .of suitable sections connected together inany desired way. I

Arranged within the oil receiving pipe 30 is a combined suction andpressure pipe 32,

' which pipe is of considerably less diameter than the oil receivingpipe. The combined pressure and suction pipe 32 also extends into theoil bearing strata 31 and is provided with an inwardly opening valve 33at its lower end. This pipe can also be made in suitable lengths orsections properly connected together and if desired means can beemployed for securing thespacing of the pipe 32 from the pipe 30.Intermediate the length of the pipe 32 and preferably adjacent to thelower end thereof I provide coupling 34 which supports one or more.outwardly opening or. pop valves 35, the purpose of which; will be laterdescribed. Beneath the pop valves 35 the pipes 32 and 30 are connectedtogether toas shown, includes a disc 36 which is held in friction tightengagement with the said pipe by any desired means. Above the casinghead 26, the pipe 32 is provided with an elbow joint 37, which extendsout through the pipe 30 and this oint 37 has connected thereto a pipe 38which leads to a manifold 39 having connected thereto suction andpressure pipes 40 and 41 respectively.

Again referring to the well, a water pipe 42 leading from any suitablesource of water supply is connected to the pipe 30 above the casing headand this pipe is provided with any preferred character of control valve43.

y means of the pipe 42, the pipe 30 can be filled with waterabovethedise 36 to any desired height and it is preferred that the waterbe extended to the tank 29 or just short of thebottom thereof. The pipe30 directly below the tank can be provided with a suitable cut-ofi'valve 44'so that the tank 29 can be cut off. from the well when desired.A suitable outlet spigot 45 can be connected to the pipe 30 above thepipe 42, so as to permit the draining of the water or oil as thecase maybe from the pipe 30 above the pipe 42.

A gravity oil outlet pipe 45? is led from the tank 29 to any suitablesource of oil storage tank and this pipe extends slightly above thebottom of the tank 29 and can be provided with a head 46. j

A valve 47 is incorporated in the length of the pipe 45 directly belowthe tank 29, so

that the flow of oil can be shut off through the pipe 45 when sodesired. 7 I provide a novel regulator or valve mechanism 50 for.controlling the suction in the pipe 32 and the supply of air underpressure to' the pipe 32, and this regulator or valve mechanismcomprises a lower casing 51 having a tapered seat 52 for the receptionof a rotatable valve plug 53. This rotatable valve plug 53 .can beprovided at its upper and lower ends with stub shafts 54 and55. Thelower stub shaft 55 is journaled in a suitable bearing opening in thecasing or block51 while the upper stub shaft 54 extends through asuitable bearing opening in a cap'plate 56 for the casing or block 51.As shown the lower end of the block is provided with a flange 57 whichcan be bolted or otherwise secured as at 58 to a suitable supportingconcrete base or the like 59.

Secured to the cap plate 56 is a gear casing 60, which rotatablysupports a drive shaft 61 to which is keyed or otherwise secured arelatively large drive gear 62. Meshing with the relatively large-drivegear'62 is a small gear or'pinion 63 which is in turn keyed or otherwisesecured to the stub shaft 54 whereby upon turning of the shaft '61 thevalve plug 53 will be rotated therewith. This shaft 61 forms a part ofthe drive mechanism or motor and a propeller wheel or rotor 64 is keyedor otherwise secured to the drive shaft 61 and arranged within a statorcasing 65 carried by the gear casing 63. The opposite side of the statoror casing 65 is provided respectively with an inlet pipe 66 for fluidunderpressure and an outlet exhaust pipe 67. It can be seen that whenfluid under pressure is admitted to the stator casing, the same willimpinge against the blades of the rotor'64 and consequently bring aboutthe rotation thereof and the valve plug 53.

The rotatable valve plug 53 is provided with independent diametricallyextending ways 70, 71, 72 and 73. These ways extend at different anglesrelative to one another so that one way will be constantly in advance ofthe other. Each of the ways can be provided at their terminals witharcuately oppositely extending extensions 74, for a purpose which willalso be later described. It is to be noted at this time that the way 70constitutes the suction way, the Way 71 the suction relief way, the way72 the pressure way, and the way 73 the pressure relief way.

The casing or block 51 is provided with a pair of oppositely disposedports 75, 76, 77

and 78 and when the way 71 is in one position the same will register thepair of ports 75 as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, and after the way70 has passed the ports 75, the way 71 will register with the pair ofways 76, and after the way 71 has passed its ports 76 the way 72 willregister with the ports 77 and when the way 72 passes its ports 77, theway 73 will register with the ports 78, after which the upper way willagain register with its pair of ports 75.

As shown the manifold pipe 39 is connected with one way of the pair ofways and 77 by the pipes 40 and 41 while one port of the pair of ports76 is connected with the pipe 40 by means of a branch pipe 79. The.

branch pipe 17, leading from the suction or vacuum pipe 15 communicateswith the other port of the pair of ports 75. The other ports 76constitutes an escape opening. The branch pipe 18 of the line pressurepipe 16 communicates with the other port of the pair of ports 77 and oneport of the pair of ports 78 is left open and constitutes an escapeport. The other port of the pair of ports 78 communicates with the pipe38 through the medium of a connecting pipe 80 which may have a controlvalve 81 therein.

In operation of the improved device the turbine is set in motion bypermitting fluid under pressure to flowthrough the pipe 66,

which pipe, as shown, communicates with the branch pipe 18.

As stated, the turbine will rotate the valve plug 53 and the way 70 willcommunicate with the pair of ports 75 allowing a suction to be caused inthe pipe 32- arranged in the well. This suction will lift up theinwardly openingvalve-33 and cause the suction of oil into the pipe to apredetermined level at which time the way 70 will moveout ofregistrationwith its port 75 cutting off further suction in the pipe32.. The weight of the oil column will close the valve 33. As soon asthe. suction is cut oifthe way 71 will come into registration with theports 76 allowing communication to: be had between the pipe 38 and theoutlet or exhaust port which will relieve the vacuum Withinthe pipe 38and the pipe 32. Upon continued rotation of the valve plug the way 71will ride past its ports 76 and the way. 72 will come into registrationwith its pair. of ports 77. This will allow communication to be hadbetween the pipe 18, pipe 41, manifold 39, pipe 38, and pipe 32. Airunder pressure is thus admitted to the pipe'32 and this air willv forcethe oil out of the pipe 32 through the outwardly opening pop valves 35into the pipe 30. This pipe being filled. with water will allow the oilto float to the top and then into the tank 29. After the way 72 hasmoved past its ports 7 7 the way 73 will register with its ports 78which will connectthe pipe 80 and consequently the .pipes 38 and 32 withthe exhaust port 78 ofthis pair of ports-and thus relieve the pressurewithin the pipe 32. This cycle of operation is continued and it can beseen that a continued suction and pressure is alternately-maintainedjwithinthe pipe 32. VVhen the oil reaches the head 46 in thetank 29 the oil. will flow through the pipe 45 into asuitablestoragetank.

While, as heretobefore stated, I prefer to employ a column of water inpipe 30, as .the

water column, serves as means for permitting thefioating of the oilthrough the water to lift the same into the temporary storage tank,thereby decreasing the back pressure on the pop valves 35 upon theopening of the same, this water column can be eliminated if desired, andthe oil allowed to flow directly into the pipe30.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided anovel device for pumping oil from wells, in which asingle centrallylocated power station can be used for a plurality of wells. Thearrangement of the power driven valve for controlling the alternatesuction and pressure to and from the well forms one of the salientfeatures of the invention, as by this means I am enabled to maintain aconstant suction and pressure in the pipes 15 and 16, which is essentialwhen the operating mechanism for maintaining the suction and pressure inthe pipes 15 and-'16 is a point distant from the wells. The ordinarysuction and pressure of a pump fails to effectively operate unless thepump is proper.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or thescope of this invention, but: 4

What I claim as new is:

- 1. In an oil well, the combination with a well casing, an oil wellpipe extending into the casing, an initial oil receiving tank havingcommunication with the oil pipe, a combined suction and pressure pipearranged within the oil pipe and in spaced relation thereto, an inwardlyopening inlet valve for said combined suction and pressure pipe, anoutwardly opening outlet valve for said combined suction and pressurepipe, means for sealing the oil pipe and the combinedpressure andsuction pipe together between said valves, means for maintaining acolumn water in said oil pipe, and means for alternately causing asuction and a pressure in said combined suction and pressure pipe.

2. In an oil well, the combination with a well casing, an oil pipeextending into said casing, a combined pressure and suction pipearranged within the oil pipe, an initial oil receiving tank havingcommunication with the oil'pipe, the combined pressure and suction pipehaving spaced inlet and outlet Valves, means sealing the combinedpressure and suction pipe with the oil pipe intermedi-' ate said valves,means introducing a water column in said oil pipe, an oil outlet pipecommunicating with the initial oil receiving tank, a pressure line pipe,a suction line pipe, and means for alternately connecting first thesuction pipe with the combined suction and pressure pipe and then thepressure line pipe with said combined suction and pressure pipe. 7

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WALTER D. GILES.

